WSW, it's an interesting read and your post is very eloquently plagiarized. I believe the above should be in quotes since it was written by J Hutcherson.
Here is another tidbit from twitter: Q: Can you give us a DEFINITIVE answer on what the Belmont stadium means for the Cosmos' MLS prospects? And what sort of role the NASL (and by extension the Cosmos) is going to have in the American soccer pyramid going forward? Do you really expect 20,000 people a game for NASL soccer in the current system, w/ no promotion and the Open Cup the only path to int'l success? (@MGHeinz) ES: We are completely focused on being successful in the NASL. We are already seeing the NASL growing rapidly with new investors and new clubs. Further, we expect to field a team that will feature comparable talent as MLS franchises in a few short years. So yes, we do expect to draw well.
the Cosmos could have a MLS-level team in the NASL, but I am not so sure about the visiting teams bringing in good and expensive players
One possible NASL evolution in the future and one the New York Cosmos would possibly(probably?) push if they don't get into MLS or want its single entity business model is elevating the NASL to compete with MLS as a division 1 league. A few of the team owners in NASL have greater ambitions and as the league expands and MLS caps its expansion at whatever number of teams they choose a second D1 league with a different business model may seem an attractive option for some. A highly unlikely evolution and one I don't think will happen but as someone stated there is nothing stopping the USSF from sanctioning 2 D1 leagues apparently.
The Cosmos may wish to fight MLS that way but I think most NASL owners would not. It sounds like a recipe for a division 2 at war with itself once again.
I don't think they are at war with themselves, it's just has been for decades status-quo in lower leagues, pay expansion fee, play a year than fold. NASL knows their will never (never say never) pro/rel in U.S. So what are their options: Going the feeder/minor league route, probably not, USL already conformed itself into that structure. Going for D1 sanctioning route, I don't think so either, it's stupid. Being a Alternative option to MLS, that's the route I see, No playoffs, single-table, apertura/clausura, no salary caps within reason expenditure. Basically bringing grassroots back into soccer..the underground movement that happened in PNW before it all became one-big Microsoft/Starbucks mega industry.
I didn't say that. I said it would be likely to happen if some of them got bent on pushing NASL to division 1 status. Ft. Lauderdale, for one, has said they want to be in division 2 for the long haul, meaning they don't want to pay what it takes to meet division 1 standards. I'm sure there will be other NASL owners who feel the same.
I hope they don't to that at least as far as sanctioning goes, they can push to be on the same level.
Really don't expect any other team to spend lavishly in NASL. I only see the Cosmos wasting away big money to fulfill their insane goals.
Fuck it, expand to Canada (even more) and ask the Canadian Federation to recognize NASL as their D1. MLS D1 in the USA. NASL D1 in Canada.
a bit of a history lesson about Team America, for the record Jeff Durgan was one tough hombre. http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/19/u-s-soccer-the-dark-before-the-dawn/
I think the NASL should try to set itself up here as what the Football League is in England. We should treat MLS as the EPL here in the states (because it basically is just not at the same level of play). Until (if ever) there is pro/rel, the NASL should continue growing slowly and try to establish itself in the same manner as the Football League. Perhaps in the future, there could be some coordination with NPSL and such.
I predicted Alamo City Ultra's PRO/REL argument in the other thread. I get credit for the shitshow that will ultimately envelop from this.
"But Cosmos chief operating officer Eric Stover said he is confident the quality of play in the North American Soccer League will improve enough over the next few years for it to be competitive with MLS." http://www.newsday.com/sports/soccer/experts-belmont-park-soccer-stadium-faces-obstacles-1.4556687
Said by someone that has to say it. NASL is Div II. By definition that is a lower level league. To expect it to meet the level of the top division is wishful thinking. One or two of the Div II teams might get close to the top tier from time to time, but the league overall will always be a lesser league. To think any other way is to delude yourself.